First Results of 19th Annual Tire Testing Season: Run-Flat or Not?

SOUTH BEND, IN -- July 9, 2014: TireRack.com, America's largest independent tire tester and consumer-direct source for tires, wheels and performance accessories, today published the first results of its 19th annual tire testing season, a run-flat tire comparison, especially designed for drivers looking for a smoother ride, peace of mind and extended mobility after a puncture. For this test, TireRack.com's results conclude that advancing tire technologies such as those utilized in Bridgestone's new DriveGuard, make it easier for drivers of mainstream vehicles to consider run-flat tire replacement options and minimize the stress and inconvenience caused by a flat tire.

Historically, run-flat tires have been limited in availability for drivers due to the need for special wheels and suspension tuning. With Bridgestone's DriveGuard, the first full line of mass-market replacement run-flat tires available for passenger coupes, sedans and wagons that are not equipped with run-flat technology, cars can maintain mobility after being punctured for up to 50 miles, allowing for safety enhancement and added peace of mind without sacrificing ride, quality and performance. Cars eligible for DriveGuard must have a working tire pressure monitoring system, which now represents every passenger vehicle, excluding trucks and vans, built for sale in the U.S. since 2008. TireRack.com's full test results can be accessed for free by consumers at Peace of Mind Results .

To find out how DriveGuard performs, TireRack.com split the test into two components and first conducted a 5.6-mile Real World Road Ride and Performance Track Drive at its state-of-the-art, 11.7-acre test facility using a common mid-size family sedan, and compared it to the Michelin Primacy MXV4, a highly-rated conventional tire in the Grand Touring All-Season category. The short video can be seen at Peace of Mind Video

DriveGuard is also designed to equal or better the ride of any premium vehicle that came from the factory with run-flat tires as original equipment. Next, to test those capabilities, experts at Tire-Rack.com completed the same tests with its BMW 3-Series test car that came from the factory with run-flat tires and compared DriveGuard to the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All-Season Run-Flat, one of several original equipment run-flat tires fitted to that vehicle. Results can be seen at Peace of Mind Results.

"By understanding that most consumers find buying replacement tires a mundane, often confusing task, TireRack.com began testing the tires it sells nearly two decades ago, and our goal remains the same today, to empower consumers to make an educated tire buying decision," said Matt Edmonds, vice president, TireRack.com.

TireRack.com's experts drive on 35-40 different tires every test season (May to September), putting them through a battery of track and road tests that evaluate real-world and performance capabilities at the limits in both wet and dry conditions.

For more information on TireRack.com's testing format, past results and for a wealth of free consumer tire safety information and data, visit www.TireRack.com.